Brown's lineman flattens referee during fit of anger

CLEVELAND (AP) - Orlando Brown wasn't going to let this one slide, and his instincts told the Cleveland Browns offensive tackle to strike back at his attacker - a game official.

In a fit of uncontrolled anger, Brown stormed onto the field and shoved referee Jeff Triplette to the ground during the first half of Sunday's game against Jacksonville after accidentally being struck in the eye by Triplette's weighted penalty flag.

"I saw it coming and I tried to get out there to stop it," Browns running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar said. "I could tell by his walk. I was too late."

The moment was surreal and scary for players, coaches and 72,000 fans.

After he flattened Triplette, Brown was immediately ejected and had to be restrained by several teammates and members of Cleveland's security staff.

The 6-foot-7, 350-pound Brown then had a heated argument with Browns coach Chris Palmer before kicking over a sideline marker as he was ushered to the locker room.

Brown, whose right eye was nearly swollen shut moments after the incident, was taken to the Cleveland Clinic to be examined.

His conduct is certain to be reviewed by the NFL and the Browns.

"There is no question that we agree with the officials' response in ejecting Orlando Brown," Cleveland president Carmen Policy said in a statement. "It is unfortunate that he was injured by the official's flag, perhaps even seriously. We will be discussing the responsibilities of the club and ramifications of the incident with league officials tomorrow and will comment further once those discussions are conducted."

Brown's actions are certain to draw him a hefty fine and possible suspension. NFL rules prohibit players touching officials and league spokesman Greg Aiello said that the incident will be reviewed.

Press box observers couldn't remember an NFL player striking an official. Similar player-official incidents in the NBA involving Nick Van Exel, Magic Johnson and Dennis Rodman have resulted in multigame suspensions and fines.

With 12:37 remaining in the second quarter, Triplette blew his whistle on a false start by Cleveland backup center Jim Bundren and threw his penalty flag loaded with BBs toward the line of scrimmage.

It somehow flew inside Brown's facemask, striking the lineman in the right eye.

"I have been officiating almost 30 years and never had anything like that happen," said Triplette, a slender 6-footer.

Triplette, whose full-time job is as treasurer of an energy company, rushed to Brown's side to see if the player was OK.

"Certainly there was every effort to apologize, because it was totally unintentionally and inadvertent," Triplette said.

Brown began staggering off the field and nearly made it to the sideline when he suddenly turned and walked back to confront Triplette.

As he approached Triplette, an incensed Brown was pointing to his face before he knocked Triplette down with a two-handed push to the chest. Brown then towered over the fallen official and may have done more damage if Cleveland players hadn't rushed onto the field.

"I saw him walk onto the field," Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell said. "I just assumed that he was feeling better and that he was going to get back in the huddle. I looked again and the referee was on the ground.